Rhonda Spencer Photography http://www.rhondaspencer.com/
Rhonda Spencer Photography http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsspixelpostsetting on top of the worldhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=216
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20171004093358_vulture.jpg"><br/>
The vulture is a large, carnivorous bird that is most well known for its scavenging nature. The vulture is one of the few types of bird that is found distributed so widely around the world.
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 09:33 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=216The Painted Lady and the Thislehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=214
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20171004092753_a painted lady and a thisle.jpg"><br/>
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 09:27 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=214white-nosed coatihttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=213
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815042420_white-nosed coati.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 04:24 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=213Gracklehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=212
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815042139_grackle.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 04:21 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=212Bighorn Sheephttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=210
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815021253_bighorn sheep.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:12 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=210 Cactus Longhorn Beetlehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=209
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815020858_cactus longhorn beetle.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:08 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=209Burrowing Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=208
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815020608_burrowing ow l.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:06 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=208Two-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillarhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=207
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20160815020420_two-tailed swallowtail butterfly caterpillar.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 15 Aug 2016 02:04 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=207night blooming cereushttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=206
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830023430_night blooming 1.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:34 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=206Penstemon in the Chollahttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=205
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830023329_img_6560.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:33 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=205Saguaro Flowershttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=204
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830023204_sagauro blooms.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:32 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=204Sunflowershttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=203
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830023053_img_6573.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:30 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=203Evening Primrosehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=202
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830023021_img_0534.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:30 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=202Poppy Fieldshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=201
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830022920_img_5115.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:29 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=201thistleshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=200
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20140830022754_img_6549.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:27 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=200Hooded Oriolehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=199
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20120729004250_hooded oriole.jpg"><br/>
Sun, 29 Jul 2012 00:42 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=199Great Horned Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=198
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20110403112732_great horned flight.jpg"><br/>
Sun, 03 Apr 2011 11:27 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=198Burrowing Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=197
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20110126101525_burrowing owl 2.jpg"><br/>
Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:15 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=197Great Egrethttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=196
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101129091248_great egret 2.jpg"><br/>
Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:12 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=196Baby Great Horned Owletshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=195
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113143615_baby great horned owlets.jpg"><br/>
I shot these two for the "A Moment in Time" what are you doing May 1, 2010
<br />http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/03/blogs/a-moment-in-time.html/#/4bddaf320bca2560a90003d3
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<br />They were 40' up on a cliffwall, on a narrow ledge...
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:36 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=195Night Blooming Cereushttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=194
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113143105_night blooming cereus.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:31 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=194Baby Great Horned Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=193
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113142621_baby great horned owl.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:26 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=193Couch's Spadefoot Toadhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=192
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113140857_couchs spadefoot toad.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:08 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=192Stripe tail Scorpion under a blacklighthttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=191
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113140147_stripe tail scorpion.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:01 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=191River Otterhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=190
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113135434_river otter.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:54 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=190Tomato Hornwormhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=189
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113134243_tomato hornworm.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:42 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=189Juvenile Spiny tailed Iguana http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=188
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113133927_juvenile spiny tailed iguana.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:39 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=188Horned Lizardhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=187
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113133124_horned lizard.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:31 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=187Medalmark Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=186
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113132827_medalmark butterfly.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:28 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=186Variegated Meadowhawk Dragonflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=185
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20101113132427_variegated meadowhawk dragonfly.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 13:24 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=185Swallowtail Caterpillarhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=184
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730111557_swallowtail caterpillar.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:15 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=184common gray foxhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=183
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730110951_gray fox.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:09 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=183Burrowing Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=182
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730110113_burrowing owl.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:01 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=182cliff chipmunkhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=181
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730110005_cliff chipmunk.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:00 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=181Coopers Hawkhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=180
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730105818_coopers hawk.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:58 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=180convergent lady beetleshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=179
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100730105411_convergent lady beetle.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:54 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=179Rufous Hummingbirdhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=178
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100708085530_rufous hummingbird.jpg"><br/>
Rufous Hummingbird- Selasphorus rufus- L=3 inches- The rufous hummingbird is tiny, weighing in at a little more than a penny, with the females being slightly larger than the males. Because of their small size, they are vulnerable to insect-eating birds and animals. These birds require frequent feeding while active during the day and become almost dormant at night to conserve energy. The males have an iridescent copper-colored throat patch, a rusty-brown head, body, and tail, a white chest and belly, and dark wings. This is the western hummingbird most likely to stray into eastern North America. Provided sufficient food and shelter is available, they are surprisingly hardy, able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°C.
Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:55 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=178Screech Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=177
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100331113304_screech owl.jpg"><br/>
Western Screech Owl- Megascops kennecotti- Female average Length= 9.2" Male average Length= 8.2" A small, nocturnal, woodland Owl of western North America, Western Screech-Owls are difficult to study because of their secretive nature though they are common owl in open woodlands, forested streamside, deserts, parks and even suburban areas.
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<br />Western Screech Owl is often confused with the Eastern Screech Owl. The two owls can be distinguished by bill color, the Eastern Screech Owls have gray-green bills while Western Screech Owls have gray to black bills they also have different calls (not truly a screech, but a series of short, low pitched whistles that speed up towards the end). Western and Eastern Screech Owls occur together in eastern Colorado and southern Texas. While only the Western Screech Owl occur in southern Arizona and Mexico.
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Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:33 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=177Snout Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=176
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100319092633_snout.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:26 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=176Juvenile Rufous Hummingbirdhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=175
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100319092514_juvenile rufous .jpg"><br/>
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:25 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=175White nosed Coatimundihttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=174
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100319092055_white nosed coatimundi.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:20 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=174Javelinashttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=173
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100319091943_javalina.jpg"><br/>
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:19 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=173leucistic Vermilion Flycatcherhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=172
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100118092106_leucistic vermilion flycatcher.jpg"><br/>
Leucistic Vermilion Flycatcher- Pyrocephalus rubinus- Leucistic is a general term for the phenotype resulting from defects in pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest to skin, hair or feathers during development. This results in either the entire surface (if all pigment cells fail to develop) or patches of body surface (if only a subset are defective) having a lack of cells capable of making pigment. This is in contrast to albinism, for which leucism is often mistaken. Albinism results in the reduction of melanin production only, though the melanocyte (or melanophore) is still present. A further difference between albinism and leucism is in eye colour. Due to the lack of melanin production in both the retinal pigmented epithelium and iris, albinos typically have red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through.
Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:21 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=172Acorn Woodpeckerhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=171
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100118091446_acorn woodpecker.jpg"><br/>
Acorn Woodpecker- Melanerpes formicivorus- The adult has a black head, back, wings and tail, white forehead, throat, belly and rump. The eyes are white. The adult male has a red cap starting at the forehead, whereas females have a black area between the forehead and the cap. The white neck, throat and forehead patches are distinctive identifiers.
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<br />Woody Woodpecker was based on an acorn woodpecker.
Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:14 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=171Ruby-crowned Kinglethttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=170
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100110074337_ruby-crowned kinglet.jpg"><br/>
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet -Regulus calendula- L: 3.75 inches- A very small songbird of the Kinglet family Regulidae native to North America. Both the male and female have olive-grey plumage with a thin black bill and short tail. The male bears a red crown which can be raised when the bird is excited but more often it's completely hidden, the red crown is what gives this bird its common name.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:43 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=170Masked Bobwhitehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=169
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100110073809_masked bobwhite.jpg"><br/>
Masked Bobwhite Quail- Colinus virginianus ridgwayi- often called the Sonoran Bobwhite because of its habitat in the Sonoran Desert and in the State of Sonora, Mexico, is a subspecies of Colinus virginianus. Until the nineteenth century, the bird was common in parts of southern Arizona; Sonora, Mexico, and possibly even further south. The advent of cattle ranching in Arizona and Mexico, however, meant trouble for the Masked Bobwhite.
<br />Cattle grazing in bobwhite habitat consumed the grasses that quail depended on so heavily for food, shelter, and nesting. Cattle trampling the ground also compacted the soil preventing seeds of native grasses from germinating. Drought conditions in the 1890s killed even more native grasses. After 1900, the Masked Bobwhite Quail was extinct or very rare in Arizona.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:38 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=169Pyrrhuloxiahttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=168
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100110073612_pyrrhuloxia.jpg"><br/>
Pyrrhuloxia -Cardinalis sinuatus- L:8-1/2 inches- Similar to the female and juvenile Northern Cardinal, the Pyrrhuloxia's thick, strongly curved, parrot-like orange-yellow bill helps identify it. The male is grey overall, with red on the face, crest, wings, tail and underparts. The female shows little or no red; the bill is a dull yellow. This bird is fairly common in thorny brush and mesquite thickets of dry streambeds, desert, woodland edges and ranch lands.The Pyrrhuloxia is a resident from Arizona, southern New Mexico, and southern Texas southward. These birds feed on seeds and insects and benefit cotton fields by destroying great numbers of cotton worms and weevils.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:36 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=168Wilsons Warblerhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=167
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100110073515_wilsons warbler.jpg"><br/>
Wilson's warbler- Wilsonia pusilla- L: 4.25 inches- The adult male Wilson's Warbler is instantly recognizable with its black cap. It is easy to observe this common warbler, which has little fear of humans, because it searches the outsides of leafy branches, often catching flying insects on the wing like a flycatcher.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:35 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=167Vermilion Flycatcherhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=166
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20100110073421_vermilion flycatcher 2.jpg"><br/>
Vermilion Flycatcher- Pyrocephalus rubinus- L:6 inches- The adult male Vermilion Flycatcher is very distinctive. The female and immatures are more nondescript but the streaking on the breast and pink tinge to the undertail coverts distinguish them from other flycatchers. The flycatcher family are so named because they catch most of their insect prey on the wing, in flight. They may sit perched for a long time, waiting for an insect to fly past, when they then fly out to catch it. There are over 365 species of flycatchers in the world.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:34 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=166Brown Pelicanhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=165
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20091109100023_pelican.jpg"><br/>
Brown Pelican- Pelecanus occidentalis- L:4 feet from bill to tail- A very large, stocky bird with a dark brown body and a long flat bill. The only non-white pelican in the world. Head whitish in adults, with dark brown on hindneck during breeding season. Young birds have dark brown head and whitish bellies. An unlikely bird to be found in the Southern Arizona desert but occasionally these birds are blown off course during the summer monsoon season and end up in urban lakes.
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=165Desert Leaf-cutter Anthttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=164
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20091107122807_ants.jpg"><br/>
Desert Leaf-cutter Ant- Acromyrmex versicolor- Most leafcutter ants are tropical in their distribution. Acromyrmex versicolor is the ant to which people are typically referring when they talk about Leafcutter Ants in Arizona. Acromyrmex versicolor nests are most commonly found in the shade of desert trees. Their volcano shaped nest mounds, about 10" high and a 10-12" in diameter, are quite distinctive. When active, these ants send columns of workers out to forage. The workers bring vegetation back to the nest. They don't seem to eat the vegetation directly, but instead chew up the leaves and twigs and use it to feed fungus gardens which they grow in the depths of the nest. The ants then eat the fungus and its fruiting bodies that they have farmed.
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:28 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=164American Snout Butterfly http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=163
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090928111327_american snout butterfly.jpg"><br/>
American Snout Butterfly - Libytheana carinenta- L= 1 3/8 to 2 inches- Snout butterflies are named for their prominent extended mouthparts which give them the appearance of the stem on a dead leaf. Many of the butterflies that suddenly appear in Arizona during September come up from Sonora, Mexico and often these migrations consist of millions of butterflies.
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:13 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=163Female Arizona Bark Scorpion and Babieshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=161
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090927114923_bark scorpion.jpg"><br/>
Female Arizona Bark Scorpion- Centruroides sculpturatus- L=2.75 inches. The Arizona Bark Scorpion was once thought to be extremely dangerous, but now is considered to be fatally dangerous primarily to infants, children, people in poor health, and the elderly. Also, people who are allergic can have very bad reactions to the Arizona bark scorpion. Even still, it has a very potent venom, and can harm you with its powerful sting.
Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:49 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=161Grasshopper nymph - Schistocercahttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=160
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090921111811_grasshopper nymph.jpg"><br/>
Grasshopper nymph - Schistocerca- A grasshopper nymph hatch from the eggs and go through five or six stages before reaching adulthood. Six instars are normal, but if densities are low only five instars will be completed. If there is a large concentration of nymphs the latter instars will be more yellow, orange and black, than green; at low densities, nymphs may be completely green. The developmental stages of the wings (from no wing, to a wing pad, to more developed wing pads, and finally wings) are the easiest identifier to determining the instars.
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:18 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=160Ocotillohttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=159
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090904233135_ocotillo 1.jpg"><br/>
Ocotillo- Fouquieria splendens- L=20'- The Ocotillo is abundant in the Southwest because the soil is well drained on rocky slopes, out washed plains and desert grasslands. It is are leafless most of the year, except immediately after rains. It then will produce narrow, oval leaves about 2 inches long, appearing in bunches above the spines. The leaves will quickly wither and drop after the soil dries out. The Ocotillo can be leafless for a long time, because the roots are deep and do not get much water. The Ocotillo produces bright red flowers appearing in spring and summer, occurring as a group of small tube shapes at the tip of the stemand. Mature plants have as many as 75 slender branches. The Ocotillo is pollinated by hummingbirds or carpenter bees.
Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:31 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=159Western Pygmy-Blue Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=157
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090904122719_western pygmy blue butterfly.jpg"><br/>
Western Pygmy-Blue Butterfly- Brephidium exilis- L= 3/8". The smallest butterfly in North America with a wingspan just under a half of an inch. Pygmy-Blues are not blue in color and are instead varying shades of gray and brown. They are common throughout the southern United States, but are not often seen given their tiny size. This is one butterfly whose populations have probably increased greatly since the coming of man and the introduction of weeds (such as tumbleweed), which have been utilized to a great extent by the Pygmy Blue as larval foodplants.
Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:27 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=157Differential Grasshopperhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=156
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090904113046_differential grasshopper.jpg"><br/>
Differential grasshopper- Melanoplus differentialis- L= 1 3/4". Differential Grasshoppers can be found throughout most of the United States often found in heavily weeded areas and grasslands. Like most grasshoppers it eats many different types of plants, including grasses, weeds, crops, clover, and fruits. Although these grasshoppers do not migrate in the winter like some other species do, they can travel a few miles to search for food.
Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:30 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=156Brochymena http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=155
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090904104252_brochymena .jpg"><br/>
Brochymena or Rough Stink Bug- Order Heteroptera- L= adult 1/2" to 5/8". Stink bug shaped, brown to mottled gray, dull and roughly pebbled. Long head with antennae are located far in front of the compound eyes. Brochymena like to eat juicy caterpillars and other soft insects by sucking out the juice, using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. They are considered a beneficial insect because they help control troublesome caterpillars and other insect pests.
Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:42 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=155Anna's Hummingbird http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=154
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090903082130_annas hummingbird.jpg"><br/>
Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:21 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=154Goatweed Leafwing Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=152
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090827095112_goatweed butterfly.jpg"><br/>
Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:51 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=152Bobcathttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=151
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090827071418_bobcat.jpg"><br/>
Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:14 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=151Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillarhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=150
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090825092140_pipevine swallowtail caterpillar.jpg"><br/>
Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar- Battus philenor- The Pipevine Swallowtail obtained its name from its primary food source the Pipevine Family plants. These plants have toxins in the leaves and this toxic diet makes the caterpillars poisonous to predators. Mature caterpillars are either bright red or purplish-black and about two inches long. There are two rows of fleshy bumps down the back with a long pair of filaments arising just behind the head and flaring out to the side. On purplish-black forms the bumps are either red or orange while on red forms the bumps are usually the same color as the body. The red on their bodies serves as a warning to hungry birds to stay away.
Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:21 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=150Rufous-winged Sparrowhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=149
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090803020510_rufous-winged sparrow.jpg"><br/>
Rufous-winged Sparrow -Aimophila carpalis-
<br />This small sparrow is found on flat, dry grasslands that are host to thorn-scrub habitats from southern Arizona to northwestern Mexico. An uncommon resident of local distribution in the Sonoran Desert, this species is shy and elusive and is difficult to see except when the male is singing from exposed perches. The Rufous-winged Sparrow may depend on rainfall as a stimulus for nesting. It typically nests after summer rains have begun, often building a nest and laying its first egg within 5 or 6 days after the first rain. Incubation lasts 11 days, and young fledge in only 8 or 9 days. In Arizona, in years of unusually heavy winter rainfall, pairs may also nest in spring. Territories are normally maintained throughout the year, and pairs remain mated for life.
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Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:05 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=149Desert Iguanahttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=147
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090724092743_desert iguana .jpg"><br/>
Desert iguana-Dipsosaurus dorsalis- L= 16 inches including tail. The range of the desert iguana is largely contained within the range of the creosote bush. Though desert iguanas seem to prefer open, relatively flat habitat, they rely heavily on the creosote bush in these areas for a number of needs. Primarily herbivorous, the desert iguana crawls into the branches of creosote bushes and other shrubs to feed upon the leaves and flowers. Additionally, it eats insects, carrion, and fecal pellets of its own species, which aids in the digestion of plant cellulose by establishing the proper gut fauna.
Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:27 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=147Giant Mesquite Bug Facehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=146
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090714102131_giant mesquite bug face.jpg"><br/>
Giant Mesquite Bugs- Thasus gigas- L=1 1/4 inches.
<br />Giant Mesquite Bugs feed only on the sap, tender leaves, and green seed pods of mesquite trees, they are only found in areas with plenty of these trees. Fortunately, Giant Mesquite Bugs do not do any significant damage to mesquite trees and control for them is not necessary. These bugs feed on mesquite flowers, beans and tree sap through their short straw-like mouth. They are slow fliers and impossible to miss. Unlike mosquitoes and assassin bugs, these insects don't bite and are quite harmless to hold in your hand.
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Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:21 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=146Giant Mesquite Bugshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=145
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090714102046_giant mesquite bug.jpg"><br/>
Giant Mesquite Bugs- Thasus gigas- L=1 1/4 inches. Giant Mesquite Bugs live on a variety of mesquite trees in the Southwest and in Mexico. The bugs sexes can easily be distinguished. The male Giant Mesquite Bugs like this one have greatly enlarged hind legs with bumps and spines and the females have thin and smooth hind legs. They have a propensity to gather in large groups on the mesquite trees in the summer. Total lifespan from hatching until death is about 8 months. Eggs survive the winter and hatch in the spring. There are five larval stages called "instars," starting with the first, hatchling. After several days or longer, the nymph will pull itself out of its old skin (molt), and expand its soft new shell to a larger size before it hardens. This cycle repeats until the sixth molt, when it becomes an adult with wings. At each stage the nymph has different patterns and colors. When the weather turns cool in late October, they will have laid their eggs on a twig or tree branch and died off, and the Giant Mesquite Bugs life cycle will be complete.
Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:20 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=145Blue Dasher Dragonflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=144
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090706071908_dragonfly.jpg"><br/>
Blue Dasher- Pachydiplax longipennis- L= 1 3/8 to 1 13/16 inches This blue dragonfly is small to medium in size with a white face, a black tip to the abdomen, and a black-and-yellow-striped thorax. Females are recognized by the narrow yellow parallel stripes on the abdomen. Both sexes have an amber patch at the base of each hind wing. Fully mature males are powdery blue with jade-green eyes. Blue Dashers can be found almost anywhere there is still water. The larva is highly tolerant of wetlands with poor water quality and low dissolved-oxygen levels.
Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:19 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=144Abert's Squirrel http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=143
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090612001007_aberts squirrel.jpg"><br/>
Abert's Squirrel- Sciurus aberti- L= 18 1/4–23 inches. Abert's Squirrels have a complicated relationship with ponderosa pine trees. Their favorite food is the cones of the Ponderosa Pine. They will turn the cone slowly, much like you may rotate an ear of corn as you eat it, peeling away the cone scales to reach the meaty seeds. The new buds and inner bark of the Ponderosa are also quickly consumed by the squirrel. You may think this would be bad for the Ponderosa; but the Abert's also eat ectomycorrhizal fungi, the consequence of this feeding activity spreads the spores of the fungi around. As it turns out this fungi is very beneficial to the survival of the Ponderosa Trees and the Abert's Squirrel serve a fundamental function in the propagation of the fungi. The relationship between the Ponderosa Pine and this little squirrel is quite remarkable and complex.
Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:10 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=143Macro of a caterpillar facehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=136
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090527085221_caterpillar face.jpg"><br/>
Wed, 27 May 2009 08:52 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=136Pleasing Fungus Beetlehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=135
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090526085213_pleasing fungus beetle.jpg"><br/>
Pleasing Fungus Beetle- Gibbifer californicus-
Tue, 26 May 2009 08:52 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=135Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrelhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=134
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090526083401_golden-mantled ground squirrel.jpg"><br/>
Tue, 26 May 2009 08:34 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=134Raccoon http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=133
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090420081137_racoon.jpg"><br/>
Raccoon- Procyon lotor- L=1 1/2' to 2 1/3'in length with an eight to 12 inch tail that is alternately ringed in light and dark. A relatively common animal along Arizona's perennial streams, lakes, and reservoirs, raccoons can also be found near some of the larger stock tanks and in rural areas where permanent water is available.
Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:11 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=133Cactus Flower Stamenshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=132
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090323021815_cactus flower.jpg"><br/>
In a cactus flower, the concave tube has regular spirals of leaves arranged on the outer surface almost to the rim of the flower tube, then the sepals and petals are found at highest portions of the outside of the tube, next down the inside of the tube are the various stamens with the first produced at the top near the rim and the last-formed at the bottom of the tube’s interior near the flowers carpels.
Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:18 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=132Mexican Jay http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=131
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090323021439_western scrub jay.jpg"><br/>
Mexican Jay- Aphelocoma ultramarina- L=10.75 inches The Mexican Jay, an inhabitant of southeastern Arizona, is similar to the Western Scrub-Jay but has uniform underparts lacking the white throat and dark collar and more evenly colored upperparts.
Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:14 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=131Seven-spotted Lady Bughttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=130
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090215045211_seven-spotted lady bug.jpg"><br/>
Sevenspotted Lady Beetle- Coccinella septempunctata- There are about 450 species of ladybugs in the U.S.A. and about 5000 different species of ladybugs throughout the world. The Sevenspotted lady beetles are easily identified by the characteristic white markings behind the head. All ladybugs have colors that warn off predators, combinations of red and black or yellow and black are characteristic warning colors. And it works, you will never see a bird eating a ladybug, because not only do they bad taste but they are mildly poisonous.
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:52 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=130Hog-nosed Skunk http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=129
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090215035217_hog-nosed skunk .jpg"><br/>
Common Hog-nosed Skunk- Conepatus mesoleuca- L= 20–36inches Although primarily nocturnal like other skunks, the Common Hog-nosed Skunk may forage by day in winter. Its broad nose pad is an adaptation for rooting for the insects that are its chief food (seen here eating a grasshopper), which explains its alternate name, “Rooter Skunk.” This species also eats reptiles, arachnids, mollusks, small mammals, and vegetation.
Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:52 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=129Loggerhead Shrikehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=128
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090126125256_loggerhead shrike.jpg"><br/>
Loggerhead Shrike- Lanius ludovicianus- L= 7 inches The Loggerhead Shrike is songbird that hunts like a small raptor. Its principal food is large insects but in cold weather, when insects are hard to find, it will hunt small birds or mice. Known in many parts as the "Butcher Bird," because it impales its victim on thorns or barbed wire enabling it to hold large prey while it rips it up, it may even lodge prey into a fork in a tree branch for the same reason.
Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:52 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=128Broadbill Hummingbird http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=127
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090124094403_broadbill hummingbird .jpg"><br/>
Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:44 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=127Elf Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=126
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090124010056_elf owl.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:00 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=126Male Monarch Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=125
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090119110300_monarch butterfly.jpg"><br/>
Monarch Butterfly (Male) - Danaus plexippus- It is easy to distinguish the adult males from the adult females in this species; males have thinner veins in the wings and a large dot on one of the inner veins of the hind wing. Females have thicker veins and no dots. The dot is a scent gland. Males use the pheromones produced by this gland to make themselves attractive to females. Monarchs are not to be found in the Sonoran Desert for most of the year, but during fall migration a few straggle through on there way south ... or west. Monarchs are unique in that they actually migrate south to a given over wintering site every year, much as many species of birds do. Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to the Pacific coast, where they utilize groves of trees from north of San Francisco down to near San Diego.
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:03 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=125Desert Tortoisehttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=124
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090116111622_desert tortoise .jpg"><br/>
Desert Tortoise- Gopherus agassizii- L=8 and 15 inches long. The desert tortoise lives in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and is well adapted to life in the desert. There are many plants in the desert which the desert tortoise eats: cactus, annual forbs, grasses, and wildflowers. It is estimated that many desert tortoise populations have declined at rates ranging between 3 and 59% per year due to deterioration and loss of habitat, collection for pets or other purposes, elevated levels of predation, disease, and the shortfalls of existing regulatory mechanisms to protect them and their habitat. It is unlawful to touch, harm, harass or collect a wild Desert Tortoise. Please keep your distance if you ever see a Desert Tortoise in the wild. When frightened they will empty their bladder as a defense mechanism, and the loss of water can be fatal to the tortoise.
Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:16 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=124Black-tailed Prairie Dogshttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=123
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090115110900_prairie dogs.jpg"><br/>
Black-tailed Prairie Dog - Cynomys ludovicianus- L= 14 to 17 inches. Nearly 50 years after the black-tailed prairie dog was poisoned, shot and trapped out of existence in Southern Arizona, the little creature is clawing its way back into the desert. Prairie dogs are important to this area's environment. The prairie dog's ability to dig, and dig, and dig benefits the environment, Prairie dog burrows aerate the soil, help water reach aquifers faster and provide habitats for other species, and the creatures' waste fertilizes the rangeland grasses on which prairie dogs and cattle feed.
Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:09 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=123Common Raccoonhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=122
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20090112135717_raccoon (procyon lotor).jpg"><br/>
Common Raccoon- Procyon lotor- Among the most unusual, most handsomely marked, and least known of the Sonoran Desert animals is the common raccoon. The raccoon is familiar, but only because people have seen it in other parts of the country. Many are surprised to learn that the raccoon does quite well in the Sonoran Desert, as long as there is water somewhere nearby. You can easily follow raccoons' characteristic tracks along trails leading directly to a suburban desert swimming pool!
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:57 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=122Black-necked Stilthttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=121
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20081215024224_black-necked stilt.jpg"><br/>
Black-necked Stilt- Himantopus mexicanus- L=: 14 inches. The Black-necked Stilt with its black and white plumage, ridiculously long thin pink-red legs (legs are up to 10 inches long), and long neck make it both striking and fragile in appearance. A bird of shallow freshwater and salt water marshes, the Black-necked Stilts have declined in past years due to hunting and habitat destruction.
Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:42 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=121Coyote http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=120
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20081129093336_coyote .jpg"><br/>
Coyote- Canis latrans- Coyotes found in low deserts and valleys weigh about 20 pounds, less than half of their mountain family members, who can weigh up to 50 pounds. The coyote is an opportunistic hunter and uses an assortment of techniques to catch small mammals like rabbits and squirrels, which encompass the majority of its diet. When hunting small animals such as mice, they slowly stalk and use their acute sense of smell to track down the prey. When the prey is located, the coyotes stiffen and pounce on the prey in a cat-like manner. When attacking large prey, coyotes attack from the rear and the flanks of their prey. Less frequently they also grab the neck and head, pulling the animal down to the ground. Coyotes will commonly work in teams when hunting large animals such as deer or Javelina.
Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:33 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=120Great Horned Owlhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=119
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20081027100959_great horned owl .jpg"><br/>
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:09 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=119Black-crowned Night-Heronhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=118
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20081001115916_black-crowned night-heron.jpg"><br/>
Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:59 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=118Snout Butterflyhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=117
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20080726120106_snout butterfly.jpg"><br/>
Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:01 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=117juvenile Say's Phoebe http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=116
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20080714010047_juvenile says phoebe .jpg"><br/>
Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=116Virile Crayfishhttp://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=115
<img src="http://www.rhondaspencer.com/images/20080710092546_crayfish.jpg"><br/>
Northern or Virile Crayfish- Orconectes virilis- L= 5 inches.
<br />Arizona is the only state in the continental United States where crayfish are not native. Originally introduced to the state’s waters to control weeds and to feed bass and other game fish, crayfish have spread to most of Arizona's aquatic systems. The problem with crayfish is that they are voracious consumers and breeders. They eat just about anything, both plant and animal, including each other. Crayfish have been implicated as a serious threat to Mexican garter snakes, Chiricahua leopard frogs and other threatened or endangered species in the Southwest. Crayfish can devastate trout streams. So please, help the environment by catching and eating all the crayfish you can.
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Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:25 +0700http://www.rhondaspencer.com/index.php?showimage=115